In this first part of our three-part series on data protection, we will define data protection and take a look at why it is important to learn how to best protect your data. In Chapter 2 we will give you some practical tips on how to best protect your data, and in our final part, Chapter 3:, we will look at the 2019 trends in data protection. If you are concerned about data protection and would like some expert advice on how to implement a data protection plan for your business, contact Digital Service Consultants today.
What Is Meant By “Data Protection”
Data protection refers to making sure that important information, both personal and corporate, is kept safe from corruption, compromise, or loss. It encompasses both the collection and dissemination of data and technology. Its goal is to strike a balance between upholding the privacy of individuals while still allowing the data to be used for business purposes.
Data Protection Can Be Applied to All Types of Data
1. Personal Data
Personal data is defined as any information about you that is stored, either electronically or physically, and can be used to identify you personally on its own or in conjunction with other data. This data includes the following:
- your name
- your home and email addresses
- your telephone/cell numbers
- your date of birth
- your job titles
- your IP addresses
Personal data can also refer to other sensitive personal information such as:
- your racial or ethnic origin
- your political or religious beliefs
- your physical or mental health or condition
- your biometrics (fingerprints, facial images)
- your genetics
Both personal and business data needs protection online
2. Businesses or Public Entities Data
This type of data could include data such as:
- financial information
- customer information
- internal software
- employee information
- research and development
- product information
3. Top Secret Data
Top secret data refers to the type of data that should only remain with its owners and never be transferred to anyone else.
Any data you enter online may get intercepted, corrupted, or lost
Why Is Data Protection So Important?
Almost everything that you do online has the ability to be tracked. Whenever you enter information online, that data could potentially be intercepted during transmission, corrupted during storage, sold without your permission, or lost due to disaster. Data protection involves protecting your information through various methods like encryption, firewalls, and backups. The value of privacy and the protection of your data has recently been brought to the forefront in the United States as the Facebook-Cambridge Analytica Scandal has been brought to light when it was discovered that the personal data of millions of Facebook users was collected without their consent and used for political purposes.
Data Protection Puts You in Control of Your Information
Data Protection can help to ensure that you or your business are in control of your personal and business information. It allows you to decide:
- whether or not you want to share your information
- who is allowed to access your information
- how long someone can access your information and for what reason they can access it
- if you want any information modified
The US does not have a comprehensive law on data protection
Current US Data Protection Legislation
Currently, in the United States, there isn’t a “single, comprehensive federal (national) law regulating the collection and use of personal data.” Instead, there are a number of federal and state laws regarding the collection and use of personal data, however, these often overlap or contradict each other. There are guidelines in place that certain government agencies and industry groups have developed regarding the collection of personal data, but these are really just “best practices” and are self-regulating in nature as they don’t have laws to back them up.
Federal Privacy-Related Laws
The US does have a wide range of privacy-related laws that apply to certain categories of information such as:
- financial information
- health information
- electronic communications
Read the whole series on data protection:
Chapter 1: The Importance of Learning How to Best Protect Your Data
Chapter 2: Practical Tips on How to Best Protect Your Data
Chapter 3: How Best to Protect Your Data – 2019 Trends
How to Best Protect Your Data: Digital Service Consultants Can Help
Your information is valuable, so don’t trust it to just anyone. Digital Service Consultants can help you protect your precious data. DSC has been a trusted name in the IT industry for over 30 years. We are experts in the IT field and can provide you with the safe and secure cloud backup services you need. We provide a full range of internet-related services including cloud backup, colocation, system monitoring, software hosting, dedicated email, website development and implementation, web hosting, e-commerce, security, and a variety of related products and services. We also provide network support for Linus, Microsoft server and workstation platforms, Fortinet firewalls, and Cisco systems. Contact us today for all of your internet-related requirements.
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– Tammy Jones
DSC has been a trusted name in the IT industry in Atlanta for more than 30 years
DSC Gives Back to the Georgia Community
DSC is proud to be part of a thriving Georgia community and we care enough about our community to want to give something back. That is why we started the “Next Generation” training days. During the training, our students learned about the history of CPUs and GPUs. The training focused on the performance and success of different models and brands and which ones excelled during their various time periods. You can access an audio recording of the training on the DSC website for free. Click here to listen to this informative podcast.